The political atmosphere surrounding the 2027 Lagos State governorship race continues to intensify, as Abdulazeez Adediran, widely known as Jandor, has firmly refuted circulating claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has chosen Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jandor clarified that no official endorsement has been issued by the President, nor has Hamzat publicly declared his intention to contest the gubernatorial seat.
Speaking during a recent appearance on Politics Today aired by Channels Television, Jandor addressed the growing speculation suggesting that the contest had already been decided in favour of the current deputy governor. According to him, such assumptions lack any verified foundation.
He pointed out that while Hamzat remains a seasoned political figure with more than two decades of experience and currently serves as Lagos State’s deputy governor, he has yet to formally announce his ambition.
Jandor stressed that if any endorsement had truly been made at the presidential level, aspirants within the party would have been officially informed. As an active contender in the race, he emphasized that no such communication has reached him or other hopefuls.
He further explained that the APC has not indicated any move toward adopting a consensus candidate. Instead, the party’s current stance suggests that the selection process will be conducted through direct primaries, allowing party members to determine the flagbearer.
According to him, the party structure remains supreme, and all aspirants are expected to align with its decisions once officially declared.
Jandor also disclosed that he had a personal meeting with President Tinubu. During that interaction, he noted that the President neither discouraged his ambition nor guaranteed him the party’s ticket. He described the encounter as neutral but encouraging enough to remain actively involved in the race.
Explaining the rationale behind his early declaration, Jandor highlighted the importance of confidence in leadership pursuits. He drew comparisons to President Tinubu’s own political journey, noting that ambition must first be declared before it can gain traction.
In discussing the broader political landscape in Lagos, he argued that the dominance of the APC has significantly weakened opposition influence in the state. Despite this, he reiterated his commitment to party unity, promising to support whichever candidate eventually emerges as the APC flagbearer if he does not secure the nomination.
As Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approaches the end of his second term, interest in the upcoming election continues to grow. Several prominent figures have been linked to the race, including Obafemi Hamzat, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, presidential aide Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and Minister of Education Tunji Alausa.
The unfolding developments indicate that the 2027 Lagos governorship contest will remain highly competitive, with multiple influential stakeholders positioning themselves ahead of party primaries.
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